Charter flights to Phuket

Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) members can now charter flights between Penang and Phuket for bigger groups of holidaymakers. The service, which will be available from September, will also enable the MATTA agents to charter flights for participants of conferences.

Penang MATTA Fair 2011 organising committee chairman Johari Shafie said that MATTA planned to expand the service soon to other countries. “We also have plans to offer chartered flights from Penang to South Korea and Japan and vice versa in the near future,” he said in an interview. The 15th Penang MATTA Fair 2011 will be held at the Penang International Sports Arena (PISA) from July 22 to July 24. The fair will be open from 5pm to 9pm on July 22 and from 10am to 9pm on July 23 and 24. There is a RM2 entry fee which entitles visitors to a goody bag and a chance to win attractive prizes in a lucky draw.

With over 100,000 visitors expected, the fair will feature tourism bodies from Hong Kong, Germany, Taiwan, Thailand, Korea, Macau, India, Indonesia alongside Sabah Tourism, Tourism Malaysia, Johor Tourism and Penang Tourism. Also participating are 11 major hotels, Firefly and Air Mauritius. Johari said travel consultants would be on hand during the fair to offer advice on travel plans.

The fair will also introduce tailor-made travel packages for visitors based on the individual’s budget, preference and schedule. “These packages are flexible and are suitable for everyone because they can choose all the details at their convenience,” he said.
Johari added that the fair this year would also emphasise local destinations due to the current economic situation. “The tourism industry in Penang is really booming. It is on the right track and we hope that tourism will overtake manufacturing as the biggest industry in Penang,” he said.

Also at the fair, Star Cruises, the leading cruise liner in Asia Pacific, will offer visitors three Star Buy packages to cruise on board SuperStar Libra and SuperStar Virgo. The first package on board SuperStar Libra promotes a Buy-One-Free-One offer where guests will get to enjoy a three-night stay on the seas off Phuket and Krabi. The second promotion on board the 13-deck liner SuperStar Virgo will feature a Buy-One-Free-One two-night cruise trip to Singapore, Malacca and Kuala Lumpur. Holidaymakers can also enjoy a 40% discount on a three-night cruise across Singapore, Penang and Phuket on board the SuperStar Virgo.

Bookings are only applicable during the fair and subject to availability of cabins on both the liners. Star Cruises, together with Norwegian Cruise Line, is the third largest cruise operator in the world that owns a combined fleet of 18 ships, visiting over 200 destinations and islands in Asia-Pacific, North and South America, Hawaii, Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, Mediterranean and Bermuda. For more information, visit Star Cruises website www.starcruises.com.
-thestar online.